Sea turtles are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. From adorable hatchlings making their way over the sand to huge Loggerheads floating through the ocean at almost 100 years old, there’s something captivating about turtles that makes thousands of tourists seek them out on their holidays year in and year out.
Want to see some of these wonderful water babies for yourself? Read on as we explore eight of the best places in the world to spot sea turtles in their natural habitat…
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical paradise, and the perfect place to have magical experiences sighting sea turtles in the wild. One of the best spots to visit is Tortuguero, which literally translates to ‘land of turtles’ so the clue is in the name! This heavenly National Park is tucked away on the northern Caribbean coast, bursting with exotic wildlife and luscious greenery.
The best time to visit Tortuguero and see the turtles is between July and October, when hundreds of them flee to the beach where they first dig holes to lay their eggs. It takes two or three months before the baby turtles hatch and start to make their way to the sea, so you’ll possibly see parents or babies depending on the time you visit.
Some of the species of turtles you could come across in Costa Rica include the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Giant Leatherback and Green Sea turtle.
Zante, Greece
Somewhere a little closer to home (but just as beautiful!) is the Greek island of Zante. With clear waters, unspoiled beaches and a warm Mediterranean climate, there’s no wonder the turtles love it here. You can often see them when you’re out diving or snorkelling, or if you’d rather stay out of the water there are plenty of turtle tours you can embark on which will give you a good chance of a sighting.
One of the best places on the island to spot wildlife is Laganas Bay. There’s even a distinctive islet not far off the coast here known as ‘Turtle Island’ because of its active breeding grounds for sea turtles. It’s recommended to visit during the turtle breeding season which begins a little earlier, in April, and continues until around August time.
You’ll find Loggerhead turtles in Zante, known to locals as Caretta Caretta Turtles. The island is said to be the largest breeding ground for this kind of turtle in the whole of the Med!
Iztuzu Beach, Turkey
Another breathtaking spot for turtle-watching is Iztuzu Beach. This sweeping strip of sand lies close to the Turkish village of Dalyan, in between the popular tourist spots of Fethiye and Marmaris. You can wander more than four kilometres of unspoiled beach and paddle in bright, clear waters as you keep your eyes peeled for bobbing turtle shells.
There are special rules in place on Iztuzu Beach (also sometimes known as Turtle Beach) to protect the conservation of the turtles, along with a conservation centre open for visitors. The people who work here place wooden stakes in the beach to show where turtles are nesting, warning tourists to be careful around the areas as well as giving them an indication of where they may catch a glimpse.
This Turkish delight is another Mediterranean turtle-spotting haven that’s home to the Loggerhead species.
Akumal, Mexico
In the Mayan language, Akumal means ‘place of the turtle’, so this Mexican beach simply had to be on our list. People who visit find a little piece of heaven on the Riviera Maya with chalky white sands, colourful coral reefs and draping palms as far as the eye can see. It truly does look like one of those dreamy images you’d see on the glossy pages of a travel catalogue!
When it comes to wildlife, there are sighting opportunities by day and by night in this beautiful bay. You can snorkel in the gentle waves in the sunshine, or join a turtle night watch conservation project where you’ll learn about the animals and see how they nest. The peak months for turtle-watching here are between May and November, so keep this in mind if you’d like to see some on your trip.
In the crystal clear Akumal waters, you’ll find the likes of the Green Sea turtle and the Loggerhead turtle.
Kuredu, Maldives
The Maldives are famous for having some of the most luxurious and picturesque beaches on the planet, so you can only imagine the dreamy scenes you’ll find on the isolated island of Kuredu. It’s scattered with pretty reefs and lagoons just perfect for attracting turtles. You can go on a search for them yourself, go on a dive boat tour or join marine professionals and learn first-hand about caring for the turtles.
One of the best places in Kuredu to see these captivating creatures is Kuredu Caves. It’s a turtle hotspot, and is particularly popular with scuba divers due to its active sea life and ideal water conditions. Alongside gliding turtles, you’ll spot the likes of manta rays, porcupine fish and leaf fish on a dive here. You’ll feel like you’ve dropped into a scene from Finding Nemo!
Some of the species of turtle you’ll find in this part of the Maldives include Green Sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles.
Marsa Alam, Egypt
This stunning resort town on the Red Sea is a fabulous holiday spot for many reasons, one of which is its opportunity to see terrific turtles in the wild. It’s home to a peaceful spot known as Turtle Bay – another firm favourite among seasoned snorkellers and scuba divers. The turtles are said to be huge here so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding them!
Turtle Bay is nestled in its own idyllic bay, complete with perfect blue waters and super soft sands. The fact that it’s so sheltered means the waters are lovely and still – perfect conditions for spotting life under the sea. The depth of the water is about 20m, giving plenty of space for the turtles to swim and explore (they’re often on the search for seagrass) but being shallow enough for you to easily spot them.
Again, you’re likely to come across the Green Sea turtle and the Hawksbill turtle here.
Key West, Florida
Florida is known for more than theme parks and fairytale characters – it’s also got some of the most exciting marine life in the world in its keys. For the best chance of a sighting, we’d recommend heading south to Smathers Beach in Key West or the Bahia Honda State Park. Hot weather and sugary white sands make for a perfect beach day – add turtles into the mix and you’re onto a winner!
You can expect to see turtles on the Florida Keys any time from March until October. It’s recommended to go on a guided tour to get the best views of the animals. In the earlier months, you can watch as adorable turtles dig holes and fill them with eggs before covering them with sand and heading back to their ocean homes. In the later months, you could be lucky enough to see the eggs hatch!
Five out of the seven species of sea turtles can be found in the Florida keys: the Hawksbill, Green Sea, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley and Leatherback turtles.
Boa Vista, Cape Verde
Finally, the stunning islands of Cape Verde are an amazing place to sight turtles. One of our favourite islands to visit is beautiful Boa Vista. It has miles of soft, vast beaches that make a perfect breeding ground for a range of species of turtles. Whether you spot them on the sand or below the waves, you’ll collect lifelong memories on your trip to Boa Vista.
Tourists can see turtles up close in Cape Verde on evening tours from June to October, learning about the animals as they go. Whilst you could catch a glimpse in any of these months, August is the peak month of the spawning season. Cape Verde is the third largest reserve of Loggerhead turtles in the world, so you’ve got a pretty good chance of getting a great view.
You have the chance to see up to five types of turtle in Cape Verde – the Leatherback, Green Sea, Caret, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley.
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